Santoro concludes solid season

After nine years of waiting, Agoura High wrestling coach Dennis Ritterbush finally returned to the CIF State Finals.

Agoura senior Dayne Santoro became the first Charger wrestler in nearly a decade to make it to state last weekend in Bakersfield.

Although Santoro was one of only 32 grapplers in the 135pound weight class to qualify, he didn't last long. Santoro lost 11-8 to Tommy Wipsley of Foothill High, and then 71 to Matt Thomas of Shasta Union High.

Despite the early exit, Ritterbush was very thrilled to have a wrestler at state and said Santoro's season was excellent.

"My assistant coach goes to the state finals every year, but I can't get myself to go unless I have someone there," Ritterbush said. "I think it should be something special when you go to it, and coaching Dayne this year was really special." - Thomas Gase